Constance was born March 12, 1930, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the daughter of Harvey and Marie Copeland.
She grew up in Great Bend, Kansas and graduated from Great Bend High School. She graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas with a degree in English. She was a member and officer of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. She received a Masters Degree in the teaching of English from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Connie married William G. Kvasnicka in 1953. She taught school at Manhattan Junior High School while William finished veterinary school. Bill then served in the military and Connie and Bill moved to Chicago for his training. There, their daughter Carol was born. Then Bill was stationed in Omaha for two years and their second child, a son Ken, was born.
Connie and Bill moved to Hastings, Nebraska. In Hastings, their children John and Jane were born. The family lived there for twenty years. Connie was busy with her children’s activities. In addition, Connie taught part time at a nearby district and did volunteer work for church, YMCA, YWCA. She was president of Nebraska Veterinary Auxiliary and an officer in P.E.O. She did freelance writing and sold a number of articles. She was elected to and served on the Hastings Public School Board for 12 years.
After their four children had finished their public school education, Bill accepted a career opportunity in Reno, Nevada. Connie and Bill moved there in 1985. While they were there, Connie taught English at the University of Nevada Reno. They had many happy times in Nevada. In 2005 they returned to Kansas to be located closer to their children and grandchildren.
Connie is survived by her husband Bill; two daughters Carol Karlow and husband Mike of Fenton, MO; Jane Parenteau and husband Mike of Estes Park, CO; two sons Kenneth Kvasnicka and wife Amy of Norcross, GA; Dr. John Kvasnicka and wife Dr. Solveig Hansen of North Oaks, MN; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother James Copeland, and sister Virginia Hutchins.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Aberdeen Village, directed to the Employee Scholarship Program, in honor of Connie. The link to give is: https://giving.presbyterianmanors.org/support-us-now/donate-aberdeen-village/
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.chapelhill-butler.com for the Kvasnicka family.
